News Alert: March 25, 2011

1. Canine Hoarding Victims Arrive at ASPCA Partner Shelters

On February 22, the ASPCA’s Field Investigations and Response (FIR) Team assisted the Clark County Humane Society in removing 349 living and 76 deceased dogs from One More Chance Rescue and Adoption in Springfield, Ohio—but our work didn’t end there.

After we helped bring the canines to a temporary shelter and provide critical care, an ASPCA team completed individual behavior evaluations. The dogs were then ready for placement, and nearly 200 found spots in Ohio. The ASPCA began placing the others through our network of partner shelters in the North and Southeast.

“We could not do this life-saving work without our Shelter Response Partners, and we’re grateful for their collaboration,” says Allison Cardona, Operations Director for the FIR Team.

Last weekend, the ASPCA and Florida-based transport partner Sumter Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) hit the road to deliver 105 of the pups to our Response Partners. Our Animal Transport Trailer was met at its first stop by Melissa Susko, executive director of PIGS Sanctuary of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, and Dennis Bumbaugh, CEO of Better Days Animal League of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

“It was like Christmas!” says Susko, whose four Ohio dogs are now enjoying PIGS’ bucolic 56 acres. “For these four dogs, we know we made a difference.” The ASPCA Transport Trailer also brought dogs to the Washington Animal Rescue League in Washington, D.C.; the Elk County Humane Society in St. Marys, Pennsylvania; the Ulster County SPCA in Kingston, New York; the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society in Menands, New York; and the ASPCA Adoption Center in Manhattan. Meanwhile, Sumter DART brought Ohio dogs to the Atlanta Humane Society and, in Florida, to the SPCA Tampa Bay, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and the Bishop Animal Shelter SPCA of Manatee County.

We’re now working with Response Partners in the Midwest to place the remaining Ohio dogs, as the pups placed last weekend settle in to their new communities. “We’re just giving them time,” says Mary Jarvis, chief operating officer of the Washington Animal Rescue League, which took in 30 of the Ohio dogs. “It’s a whole new world for them right now.”

For the latest news about the rescued canines, please stay tuned to ASPCA.org.

2. Nominate Heroic Pets and People for an ASPCA Humane Award

Nominations are officially open for the ASPCA’s 2011 Humane Awards! If you know a fearless feline or courageous canine with a knack for saving lives, or a heroic person who has improved the lives of animals, we want to hear from you. Submitting a nomination is easy—just follow the instructions at ASPCA.org/nominate.

Those who may be considered for this distinguished honor include people who have worked on behalf of animal welfare and animals who have engaged in acts of heroism in the United States during the past year. Categories open for nomination are:

• ASPCA Dog of the Year : for a dog who has performed a heroic act in the past year.
  
  
• ASPCA Cat of the Year : for a cat who has performed a heroic act in the past year.
  
  
• ASPCA “Tommy P. Monahan” Kid of the Year : for a child under the age of 15 who has helped make the world a better place for animals.
  
  
• ASPCA Public Service Award : for a law enforcement officer, member of the military, firefighter or other public servant who has made a heroic effort to save an animal in the past year or has demonstrated a commitment to animal safety throughout his or her career.

Last year’s honorees included a three-legged cat who inspired a series of children’s books; a California shelter dog turned search-and-rescue hero who served in Haiti; an artistically gifted sixth-grader who raised more than $180,000 to help birds affected by the Gulf Coast oil spill; and a squad of New York City firemen that saved 30 cats and dogs from a pet store inferno.

Winners will be feted this fall at the Humane Awards Luncheon in New York City. The deadline for entries is Friday, June 17. For more information, please visit www.aspcahumaneawards.org.

3. ASPCA Happy Tails: Movin’ On Up to the East Side

Happy Tails always loves to hear from pet parents who have shared many years of happy memories with their four-legged family members, and this week, we’re featuring just such an adopter. Dan Treinish brought Archie home to the Upper East Side more than 10 years ago, but he’s still beaming about the effects this special dog has had on his life.

We adopted Archie from the ASPCA in October 2000, when he was 13 months old. I'm proud and happy to report that he is a happy, thriving member of our family and the community here on the Upper East Side. Everyone in our neighborhood, including the doormen, knows Archie.

He was known as Nico when we got him, and he is a Wheaten Terrier mix. At about 50 pounds, he is larger than most purebred Wheaties, and his "other half" has been a topic of conversation ever since we brought him home. Wherever we go, people stop to ask, "What's his breed?" and everyone has an opinion regarding what's mixed with Wheaten, ranging from Husky (he has one blue eye) to Golden Retriever (can't be, he doesn't swim or retrieve) to Sheepdog (my guess). He's a handsome boy, and everyone returns his smile.

What's been most remarkable about Archie has been his effect on our lives as New Yorkers. No longer do we put our heads down to walk the streets or wait for a light to change or a door to open. Because Archie attracts so much attention and because so many people from all walks of life ask about him, touch him and learn his story, we've become friendlier, more outgoing people as a result. Thank you for all the good work you do.

For more stories of furry fate, please visit our Happy Tails archive.

4. Dogs Just Wanna Have Fun: Exercises for Your Pet

News Alert readers know how much we love to trumpet the many benefits of adopting a dog. But did you know that your physical health can improve, too, when you share your life with a pooch? Recent studies suggest that one surefire way to get your motor running—and boost your health—is to get a canine companion who, after all, needs regular walks. Stats show dog parents walk an average of 300 minutes per week, whereas people without dogs walk only about 168 minutes.

But what if you walk till you drop and still find yourself challenged to provide enough outlets for your pet’s excess energy? Perhaps your pooch is a natural born sprinter and you’re more likely to compete in the couch potato Olympics. Never fear, ASPCA experts are here! There are a variety of ways to exercise your dog, from activities that don’t demand much energy on your part to activities that engage both of you. Our behaviorists suggest choosing activities that suit your dog’s individual personality and natural interests. Check out some more of our expert tips:

• Emphasize brain over brawn. Exercise your dog’s brain with food puzzle toys, hunting for dinner, obedience and trick training, and chew toys instead of excessive physical exercise.
  
  
• Focus on games that make your dog run around while you mostly stand or sit still. Games that fit the bill include fetch with balls, Frisbees or sticks, Find It, Hide-and-Seek or catching bubbles (using a special bubble-blower toy made for dogs, such as the Bubble Buddy^™).
  
  
• If your dog enjoys the company of other dogs, options include taking her to a dog park, organizing play groups with friends or neighbors or signing her up for doggie daycare.
  
  
• For extra active dogs, off-leash walking, running, hiking or bicycling in a safe, fenced-in property or off-leash park are ideal activities. Your pet can set her own pace, sniff and investigate to her heart’s content, stop when she’s tired and burst into running whenever she likes. Please be sure your dog is well-trained to reliably come when called before you give her off-leash privileges.

For more tips on exercises for your dog, please visit our Virtual Behaviorist.